Urban beach set for Cwmbran

IF YOU do like to be beside the seaside, then Cwmbran could be added as an alternative place to visit this summer as an urban beach comes to the town.

More than 150 tonnes of white sand is set to arrive to transform Cwmbran Shopping’s Gwent Square into a temporary free beach from July.

Organisers say it will allow visitors to relax on deck chairs, feast on ice cream and take part in beach yoga sessions from July 12 until September 2.

There will be beach games and live music, in addition to a community fashion show, and local retailers will have special offers and product samples for shoppers throughout the season.

Developed by permanent and temporary urban beach specialists Beach Events, the 20m2 beach has already been successfully placed in tropical destinations such as Antigua and Spain.

The company hopes to source the sand from local suppliers, but may seek to import from further afield to ensure a Caribbean-style white colouring.

The urban beach is being billed as one of the largest event in Cwmbran Shopping’s history and forms part of the centre’s Summer Fun campaign as the team aims to alter its events programme to give more back to the community.

“The beaches developed by Beach Events have been used at the Olympics, in addition to popular festivals such as the Isle of Wight, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring it to Cwmbran.

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“To have 150 tonnes of sand in the centre of Cwmbran will be fantastic for the local community. The beach will allow people to enjoy a white sandy beach without having to travel far afield.”

Bob Wellington, leader of Torfaen council, said: “People flock to Cwmbran Shopping from across the region and this wonderful beach initiative for their Summer Fun campaign is an exciting addition to the attractions in Cwmbran.”

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Comments (25)

Most ridiculous thing I've heard this year, next, people will be having clothes shops for dogs, wait..

Most ridiculous thing I've heard this year, next, people will be having clothes shops for dogs, wait..Evil Flanker

Most ridiculous thing I've heard this year, next, people will be having clothes shops for dogs, wait..

Score: 23

newportrules says...11:40am Wed 9 Apr 14

Paris does this every year. Cardiff have also started to follow suit. Both with great success. Having said that.....

Paris does this every year. Cardiff have also started to follow suit. Both with great success. Having said that.....newportrules

Paris does this every year. Cardiff have also started to follow suit. Both with great success. Having said that.....

Score: 10

Explainitplease says...12:01pm Wed 9 Apr 14

Who is this funded by?

Who is this funded by?Explainitplease

Who is this funded by?

Score: 8

herdygerdy says...2:03pm Wed 9 Apr 14

Yes Cardiff do it but they do it down in the bay, a lovely atmosphere and feel to it! Sitting on a pile of sand in gwent square in Cwmbran would not be my idea as a family day out for the kids! lol..... nice idea but wrong location, boating lake would be nice x

Yes Cardiff do it but they do it down in the bay, a lovely atmosphere and feel to it! Sitting on a pile of sand in gwent square in Cwmbran would not be my idea as a family day out for the kids! lol..... nice idea but wrong location, boating lake would be nice xherdygerdy

Yes Cardiff do it but they do it down in the bay, a lovely atmosphere and feel to it! Sitting on a pile of sand in gwent square in Cwmbran would not be my idea as a family day out for the kids! lol..... nice idea but wrong location, boating lake would be nice x

Score: 42

newportrules says...2:47pm Wed 9 Apr 14

Explainitplease wrote…

Who is this funded by?

They are normally companies given permission to set up. So don't panic! None of your taxes pay for it. And normally they attract people in their droves who then spend money etc etc. But as mentioned above....Gwent Square? Not so sure! But if it attracts people and their money then great!

[quote][p][bold]Explainitplease[/bold] wrote:
Who is this funded by?[/p][/quote]They are normally companies given permission to set up. So don't panic! None of your taxes pay for it. And normally they attract people in their droves who then spend money etc etc. But as mentioned above....Gwent Square? Not so sure! But if it attracts people and their money then great!newportrules

Explainitplease wrote…

Who is this funded by?

They are normally companies given permission to set up. So don't panic! None of your taxes pay for it. And normally they attract people in their droves who then spend money etc etc. But as mentioned above....Gwent Square? Not so sure! But if it attracts people and their money then great!

Score: 15

Thor at the door says...2:49pm Wed 9 Apr 14

Pathetic............ .......

Pathetic............
.......Thor at the door

Pathetic............ .......

Score: -2

rugbwizzard says...2:54pm Wed 9 Apr 14

Would Ihe right in saying that "a beach has to have sea or some sort of water way". If so then all it is is a sand pit and if we have a dry summer,Cwmbran Town Centre is known as the windy City after all, sand would end up everywhere, yes even in the summer they can have wind.

Would Ihe right in saying that "a beach has to have sea or some sort of water way". If so then all it is is a sand pit and if we have a dry summer,Cwmbran Town Centre is known as the windy City after all, sand would end up everywhere, yes even in the summer they can have wind.rugbwizzard

Would Ihe right in saying that "a beach has to have sea or some sort of water way". If so then all it is is a sand pit and if we have a dry summer,Cwmbran Town Centre is known as the windy City after all, sand would end up everywhere, yes even in the summer they can have wind.

Score: 2

rugbwizzard says...2:58pm Wed 9 Apr 14

newportrules wrote…

Explainitplease wrote…

Who is this funded by?

They are normally companies given permission to set up. So don't panic! None of your taxes pay for it. And normally they attract people in their droves who then spend money etc etc. But as mentioned above....Gwent Square? Not so sure! But if it attracts people and their money then great!

So who pays the shops, thats right the customer, all they need to do is up prices.

[quote][p][bold]newportrules[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Explainitplease[/bold] wrote:
Who is this funded by?[/p][/quote]They are normally companies given permission to set up. So don't panic! None of your taxes pay for it. And normally they attract people in their droves who then spend money etc etc. But as mentioned above....Gwent Square? Not so sure! But if it attracts people and their money then great![/p][/quote]So who pays the shops, thats right the customer, all they need to do is up prices.rugbwizzard

newportrules wrote…

Explainitplease wrote…

Who is this funded by?

They are normally companies given permission to set up. So don't panic! None of your taxes pay for it. And normally they attract people in their droves who then spend money etc etc. But as mentioned above....Gwent Square? Not so sure! But if it attracts people and their money then great!

So who pays the shops, thats right the customer, all they need to do is up prices.

Score: -15

rugbwizzard says...3:05pm Wed 9 Apr 14

The bucket and spade will be no good if the sand is dry, for obvious reasons, and we are not in the tropics so that argument has been blown out the water.

The bucket and spade will be no good if the sand is dry, for obvious reasons, and we are not in the tropics so that argument has been blown out the water.rugbwizzard

The bucket and spade will be no good if the sand is dry, for obvious reasons, and we are not in the tropics so that argument has been blown out the water.

Score: -3

Magor says...5:46pm Wed 9 Apr 14

I went to the one in Cardiff Bay last year and it was better than expected.At least they are giving it a try not like do nothing Newport.

I went to the one in Cardiff Bay last year and it was better than expected.At least they are giving it a try not like do nothing Newport.Magor

I went to the one in Cardiff Bay last year and it was better than expected.At least they are giving it a try not like do nothing Newport.

Score: 14

varteg1 says...6:24pm Wed 9 Apr 14

Great big doggie loo?

Great big doggie loo?varteg1

Great big doggie loo?

Score: 11

Mr Bump. says...7:40pm Wed 9 Apr 14

I'll be avoiding Cwmbran this summer then. What a bloody stupid idea.

I'll be avoiding Cwmbran this summer then. What a bloody stupid idea.Mr Bump.

I'll be avoiding Cwmbran this summer then. What a bloody stupid idea.

Score: -8

JanJenkins says...8:45pm Wed 9 Apr 14

And this by a council that has turned most of its street lights off, especially from the train station to the bus station it is pitch black before the last train runs.. Leaving commuters to run the gauntlet of unlit road crossings and car park at the train station. You would think they had money to burn.!

And this by a council that has turned most of its street lights off, especially from the train station to the bus station it is pitch black before the last train runs.. Leaving commuters to run the gauntlet of unlit road crossings and car park at the train station. You would think they had money to burn.!JanJenkins

And this by a council that has turned most of its street lights off, especially from the train station to the bus station it is pitch black before the last train runs.. Leaving commuters to run the gauntlet of unlit road crossings and car park at the train station. You would think they had money to burn.!

Score: -9

JanJenkins says...8:47pm Wed 9 Apr 14

An how much cat sh***t will it hold. Lots of kitty litter! great for elf and safety!.

An how much cat sh***t will it hold. Lots of kitty litter! great for elf and safety!.JanJenkins

An how much cat sh***t will it hold. Lots of kitty litter! great for elf and safety!.

Score: -4

irisheyes says...10:04pm Wed 9 Apr 14

Most of the Cwmbran residents can't park to do their weekly shopping as it is because of the out-of-towners taking advantage of the free parking so I suppose I'll have to drive to Tesco ,Asda or Morrisons in Newport to do my shopping.When will Cwmbran council realise that the residents pay council tax so would like to have an opinion heard over what comes to Cwmbran.Why not have the beach at the community farm then maybe the farm would make a smaller loss than it does at the moment.

Most of the Cwmbran residents can't park to do their weekly shopping as it is because of the out-of-towners taking advantage of the free parking so I suppose I'll have to drive to Tesco ,Asda or Morrisons in Newport to do my shopping.When will Cwmbran council realise that the residents pay council tax so would like to have an opinion heard over what comes to Cwmbran.Why not have the beach at the community farm then maybe the farm would make a smaller loss than it does at the moment.irisheyes

Most of the Cwmbran residents can't park to do their weekly shopping as it is because of the out-of-towners taking advantage of the free parking so I suppose I'll have to drive to Tesco ,Asda or Morrisons in Newport to do my shopping.When will Cwmbran council realise that the residents pay council tax so would like to have an opinion heard over what comes to Cwmbran.Why not have the beach at the community farm then maybe the farm would make a smaller loss than it does at the moment.

Score: -10

Dave Angel says...11:04pm Wed 9 Apr 14

Not sure if its a good or bad idea. Certainly a brave one, give them a chance then judge. I wouldn't worry about Torfaen blowing your council tax as Cwmbran Town Centre is not a Town Centre, its a Shopping Centre business, so Cwmbran Shopping is footing their own " bounty for the taste of paradise " !

Not sure if its a good or bad idea. Certainly a brave one, give them a chance then judge. I wouldn't worry about Torfaen blowing your council tax as Cwmbran Town Centre is not a Town Centre, its a Shopping Centre business, so Cwmbran Shopping is footing their own " bounty for the taste of paradise " !Dave Angel

Not sure if its a good or bad idea. Certainly a brave one, give them a chance then judge. I wouldn't worry about Torfaen blowing your council tax as Cwmbran Town Centre is not a Town Centre, its a Shopping Centre business, so Cwmbran Shopping is footing their own " bounty for the taste of paradise " !

Score: 15

Ian (Mac) MacKinlay says...2:45am Thu 10 Apr 14

Completely mad.

Completely mad.Ian (Mac) MacKinlay

Completely mad.

Score: -9

ExNewport says...6:24am Thu 10 Apr 14

Explainitplease wrote…

Who is this funded by?

Cwmbran Shopping is a private company so I assume they are funding it.

[quote][p][bold]Explainitplease[/bold] wrote:
Who is this funded by?[/p][/quote]Cwmbran Shopping is a private company so I assume they are funding it.ExNewport

Explainitplease wrote…

Who is this funded by?

Cwmbran Shopping is a private company so I assume they are funding it.

Score: 8

ExNewport says...6:28am Thu 10 Apr 14

JanJenkins wrote…

And this by a council that has turned most of its street lights off, especially from the train station to the bus station it is pitch black before the last train runs.. Leaving commuters to run the gauntlet of unlit road crossings and car park at the train station. You would think they had money to burn.!

What does the Council have to do with this?

[quote][p][bold]JanJenkins[/bold] wrote:
And this by a council that has turned most of its street lights off, especially from the train station to the bus station it is pitch black before the last train runs.. Leaving commuters to run the gauntlet of unlit road crossings and car park at the train station. You would think they had money to burn.![/p][/quote]What does the Council have to do with this?ExNewport

JanJenkins wrote…

And this by a council that has turned most of its street lights off, especially from the train station to the bus station it is pitch black before the last train runs.. Leaving commuters to run the gauntlet of unlit road crossings and car park at the train station. You would think they had money to burn.!

What does the Council have to do with this?

Score: 8

cantbelieveitsnotbetter says...7:45am Thu 10 Apr 14

Oh this should be fun!

Oh this should be fun!cantbelieveitsnotbetter

Oh this should be fun!

Score: -1

Mike Roland says...10:15am Thu 10 Apr 14

irisheyes wrote…

Most of the Cwmbran residents can't park to do their weekly shopping as it is because of the out-of-towners taking advantage of the free parking so I suppose I'll have to drive to Tesco ,Asda or Morrisons in Newport to do my shopping.When will Cwmbran council realise that the residents pay council tax so would like to have an opinion heard over what comes to Cwmbran.Why not have the beach at the community farm then maybe the farm would make a smaller loss than it does at the moment.

Shopping woes, parking problems, blaming the council, having to drive to Newport, paying tax, ........ . How frightfully boring and tedious. The story is about a beach for goodness' sake.

[quote][p][bold]irisheyes[/bold] wrote:
Most of the Cwmbran residents can't park to do their weekly shopping as it is because of the out-of-towners taking advantage of the free parking so I suppose I'll have to drive to Tesco ,Asda or Morrisons in Newport to do my shopping.When will Cwmbran council realise that the residents pay council tax so would like to have an opinion heard over what comes to Cwmbran.Why not have the beach at the community farm then maybe the farm would make a smaller loss than it does at the moment.[/p][/quote]Shopping woes, parking problems, blaming the council, having to drive to Newport, paying tax, ........ . How frightfully boring and tedious. The story is about a beach for goodness' sake.Mike Roland

irisheyes wrote…

Most of the Cwmbran residents can't park to do their weekly shopping as it is because of the out-of-towners taking advantage of the free parking so I suppose I'll have to drive to Tesco ,Asda or Morrisons in Newport to do my shopping.When will Cwmbran council realise that the residents pay council tax so would like to have an opinion heard over what comes to Cwmbran.Why not have the beach at the community farm then maybe the farm would make a smaller loss than it does at the moment.

Shopping woes, parking problems, blaming the council, having to drive to Newport, paying tax, ........ . How frightfully boring and tedious. The story is about a beach for goodness' sake.

Score: 14

London Welsh2 says...1:34pm Thu 10 Apr 14

Let us all calm down Cwmbran town center is owned by Cwmbran Shoppping They can do wtf they like with it. You dont like it - then shop elsewhere, use your petrol to travel to Newport just because you have youyr arse in your hand. There are plenty of parking spaces in Cwmbran It has nothing to do with your Council tax and the council are not funding it.

Let us all calm down
Cwmbran town center is owned by Cwmbran Shoppping
They can do wtf they like with it.
You dont like it - then shop elsewhere, use your petrol to travel to Newport just because you have youyr arse in your hand.
There are plenty of parking spaces in Cwmbran
It has nothing to do with your Council tax and the council are not funding it.London Welsh2

Let us all calm down Cwmbran town center is owned by Cwmbran Shoppping They can do wtf they like with it. You dont like it - then shop elsewhere, use your petrol to travel to Newport just because you have youyr arse in your hand. There are plenty of parking spaces in Cwmbran It has nothing to do with your Council tax and the council are not funding it.

Score: 8

brynglas says...4:55pm Sat 12 Apr 14

I can see it now - steroid-muscled scallies quaffing lager from the can, orange fake-tanned slappers swigging alcopops from the bottle, numerous bull-breed dogs running amok, the lingering odour of skunk spliffs, and not a sea breeze or the crash of a wave within 10 miles... And all in the name of almighty Shopping, the religion of our age. All hail limitless consumption!

I can see it now - steroid-muscled scallies quaffing lager from the can, orange fake-tanned slappers swigging alcopops from the bottle, numerous bull-breed dogs running amok, the lingering odour of skunk spliffs, and not a sea breeze or the crash of a wave within 10 miles...
And all in the name of almighty Shopping, the religion of our age. All hail limitless consumption!brynglas

I can see it now - steroid-muscled scallies quaffing lager from the can, orange fake-tanned slappers swigging alcopops from the bottle, numerous bull-breed dogs running amok, the lingering odour of skunk spliffs, and not a sea breeze or the crash of a wave within 10 miles... And all in the name of almighty Shopping, the religion of our age. All hail limitless consumption!

Score: 3

indy2012 says...7:28am Sun 13 Apr 14

Can't get a sun bed,Wellington and Co already got the towels on them.

Can't get a sun bed,Wellington and Co already got the towels on them.indy2012

Can't get a sun bed,Wellington and Co already got the towels on them.

Score: 2

Not a sheep! says...2:48pm Wed 16 Apr 14

It's simply to draw people in to part with their money. They don't want you to go to a real beach and enjoy fresh clean air and natural scenary. You'll look like an idiot if you participate and "pretend". Shopping, consumption; it's all they want you to do. Keep buying stupid stuff you don't really need folks!

It's simply to draw people in to part with their money. They don't want you to go to a real beach and enjoy fresh clean air and natural scenary. You'll look like an idiot if you participate and "pretend". Shopping, consumption; it's all they want you to do. Keep buying stupid stuff you don't really need folks!Not a sheep!

It's simply to draw people in to part with their money. They don't want you to go to a real beach and enjoy fresh clean air and natural scenary. You'll look like an idiot if you participate and "pretend". Shopping, consumption; it's all they want you to do. Keep buying stupid stuff you don't really need folks!

Ipsoregulated

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